cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce cauliflower (audio) ˈkä- How to pronounce cauliflower (audio)
-lē-
often attributive
: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers
also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some alkaline foods are bananas, melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts. Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025 Get the recipe > Roasted corn and cauliflower top these crunchy tostadas that get a drizzle of nutty-peppery chile sauce. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025 Erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol are sugar alcohols, a carbohydrate found naturally in tiny quantities in foods such as cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, plums, raspberries and strawberries. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025 Plant out transplants of broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower later in the month if the weather cools. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cauliflower

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cauliflower was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“Cauliflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauliflower. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun
cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce cauliflower (audio)
: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on cauliflower

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